Wire-fence spacer



(No Model.)

C.BAXTER.

WIRE FENCE SPACER.

Patented June 28, 1898.

Attorney.

Nrrnn STATES "ATENT FFICEr WIRE-FENCE SPACER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,182, dated June 28, 1898.

Application filed August 9, 1897. $erial No. 647,548. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES BAXTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waukesha, in the county of Waukesha and State of 'Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wire-Fence Spacers, of which the following is a specification.

.My invention relates to improvements in that class of wire -fence spacers used in weaving stays, where it is desirable that the linewires be kept at uniform distance from each other prior to the application of the stays thereto.

The s acers in common use are ada ted to be used on smooth wire only, inthat the linewires are engaged by hooks or loops which are operated by thumb-screws, and they cannot be readily applied to or removed from the wire, but are intended to be slipped along the wire from place to place as the stay-wires are woven. lVhere the line-wires are barbed, therefore, these spacers cannot be used practically, as the spacer will not slide along such wire, and each line-wire has to be separately disengaged from the spacer by turning the thumb-screw to loosen the wire-holding hook or loop and release the wire.

The object of my invention is to provide a form of spacer from which the line-wires may be readily engaged or disengaged, so that the spacer may be removed and replaced almost as quickly as it may be slipped along the wire without removal.

In the following description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side view of my invention as it engages the line-wires-of afence. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the central portion of the bars, showing the actuating-lever and also showing the prongs in a separated position, adapted to release the fence-wires,with dotted lines indicating the closed position. Fig. 3 is a side View showing a modified form vof construction in which the bars are composed of metal. Fig. 4 is an edge view as seen from the opposite side of the fence from that occupied by the'operator.

Like parts are identified by the same reference-letters throughout the several views.

Two parallel bars A and A are held together by bolts '13 and nuts 0, the bar A being provided with slots D to permit a longitudinal movement. The rear edge of the bar A is also provided with a recess E, in which is located a lever F, pivoted at G to the bar A and adapted by the engagement of its short end against the upper end E of the recess E to raise the bar Aupon the bar A. When the lever is turned into a vertical position,it tends to soremain and hold the bar A in its raised position.

The front edges of the bars A and A are provided with prongs H and H, respectively, the prongs H of the bar'A being upwardly inclined and the prongs H of the bar A being downwardly inclined and adapted to en gage the line-wire between them when the bar A is in its raised position. These prongs may be formed of metal and driven into the edges of the wooden bars, or the bars themselves may, if desired, be formed of metal and recessed along their edges to form the prongs, as shown in Fig. 3.

In the drawings I have shown the prongs arranged at distances of one inch apart,with

space-marks upon the bars and the foot;marks indicated by numerals, so that the same device may be used for spacing wires at any desired distance-from each other from one inch to one foot or more.

It is obvious that by means ofthe lever F the prongs can be made to instantly engage or release the wire, and the spacer may be shifted by removal and replacement almost as quickly as by slipping it along the wire without such removal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A wire-fence spacer comprising the parallel bars, adjust-ably secured together and provided with wire-engaging prongs, and a lever pivotally secured to one of the bars and operating in a recess in the other bar,whereby,when said lever is turned to a vertical position, the recessed bar will be lifted upon the other to adjust the prongs in a position for engaging the fence-wires, and the lever locked in such position by reason of the bearingof the recessed bar upon the end of the lever above its pivotal support, substantially as described.

2. A wire-fence'spacer comprising the pareessed bar upon its end above its pivotal supallel wooden bars adjustably secured toport, substantially as described. 10 gether and provided with metallic Wire-en- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature gaging prongs together with a lever pivoted in the presence of two Witnesses.

5 to one of the bars and operating in a recess CHARLES BAXTER.

in the other bar, whereby when said'lever is Vitnesses: adjusted in a vertical position, it is adapted LEVERETT 0. WHEELER,

to become locked by the bearing of the re- LYMAN G. \VHEELER. 

